Knight-Ridder outlines a somewhat fantastic plot involving Los Zetas and a Mexico-based Arab people smuggler joining forces: "FBI bulletin outlines possible terrorist plot at Texas border". The Arab will get to smuggle explosives in trucks into the U.S.; the Zetas will get help freeing a cartel leader.

However, this information came from an informant, who may or may not be credible. KRT says this information is in a confidential but unclassified FBI intelligence bulletin, and apparently the FBI is opposed to its release.

On the larger issue, the article contains some interesting quotes:

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration and members of Congress from both parties have viewed the southern border as a weak link in efforts to keep terrorists out of the United States, even though the Sept. 11 terrorists entered the country with visas, some legal, others forged.

They also used illegally-obtained driver's licenses from various states, but that aside the idea that Bush and congress are concerned about our southern border - other than as a source of cheap labor - is news to me.

"That's been the concern all along, that there would be a bargain struck between al-Qaida or some (other) terrorist organization and these organized crime networks that would allow terrorists to be smuggled into the country," U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in an interview. "I think that's a very real concern."

Read him shining on his constituents who are concerned about illegal immigration here.

At a hearing Tuesday of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the chairman, Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said: "Given the threat of international terrorism, there is great concern that our land borders could also serve as a channel for international terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. The threat of terrorist penetration is particularly acute along our southern border."

Lugar was present when Mexico's former foreign secretary threatened to allow terrorists to enter the U.S. As far as I know, he has neither condemned those remarks nor has he suggest that Castaneda be deported.

I wish I had one of those Edmund Scientific giant balloons, because there's so much free hot air available out there.